Lady Bug Infestation Pest Control

What’s the Difference Between a Ladybug and an Asian Lady Beetle?

Ladybugs are a family of beetles that includes Asian Lady Beetles. They are different from each other, but for our purposes here, either way, we don’t want them overwintering in our space. Multicolored Lady Bugs, also known as Asian Lady Beetles or Lady Beetles, are smoothly oval in shape, with a convex body; they may or may not be marked with spots, but all have a black “M” or “W” marking on their pronotum, the shield that hides their head. While mostly known for their red coloring and black spots, ladybugs vary in color and are often found in shades of tan and orange as well as red.

Why Do I Have Ladybugs in my Home?

Ladybugs are probably the most easily recognized of all insects. There are hundreds of kinds of lady beetles in the United States. Lady beetles are causing some concern among homeowners because of their sheer numbers. Purposefully introduced into the southern United States some years ago to assist in the control of aphids in farm crops, these pests first started appearing in the Upper Midwest in 1998. In 2000, they began invading houses in large numbers. They start infesting homes and buildings in the autumn or fall months as they leave yards and other summer feeding areas in search of a warm place to overwinter.

These beetles are found to be attracted to sunnier areas and will congregate on the southwest sides of a structure. Attics, wall voids, and other protected locations tend to be where they gather and they will gain entry through cracks around doors and windows, behind the siding and other areas that are susceptible to pest infestation. Lady beetles can fit through openings as small as 1/8 inch in size making homes and buildings easily accessible.

A LADY BUG MAY CONSUME AS MANY AS 5,000 APHIDS IN A LIFETIME, MAKING THEM BENEFICIAL TO YOUR GARDEN.

Are They Dangerous?

Although ladybugs can be a nuisance when they occur in large numbers, they do not infest wood, destroy fabrics, eat our food, or damage other property. Lady beetles don’t sting, but they do bite. When ladybugs are alarmed, they secrete a strong-smelling yellowish liquid from the joints in their legs, which can leave behind stains. They are not known to carry disease but they are a serious pest of soybeans in Minnesota and other Midwest states.

How Do I Get Rid of Ladybugs?

Keeping them out in the first place is the best cure (more on that later). Once they’ve gotten in, the only solution is to kill them, one at a time, until all of them that have chosen to overwinter in your home are gone. If a large number have gotten in, you can use an insecticide spray and simply vacuum up the dead ones, as so many people can relate to! Contacting Plunkett’s Pest Control before or at the first sign of an infestation is the most effective way to ensure your property is kept free of ladybugs. We can keep all the fall invaders (ladybugs, Box elder bugs, cluster flies) out of your home altogether by wholly treating the outside of your structure, which stops them from landing at all. They simply move on to the next house.

How Soon Can You Get Here?

At Plunkett’s Pest Control, our goal is to help you in the shortest time possible, causing you the least inconvenience, while resolving your ladybug problems in the most cost-effective manner. We make every effort to be with you the same or very next day.

How Can I Prevent Ladybugs in the Future?

Controlling ladybug problems is a difficult task and while sealing cracks and spaces around doors, windows and foundations are helpful, it may not completely deter these nuisance pests. If Ladybugs have infested your property call Plunkett’s Pest Control as soon as you notice them to prevent a larger pest problem.

Testimonials

Recently, our county changed some things organizationally which made it harder for us to keep doing business with Plunkett’s. But, we love Joe our technician so much, we created a separate account just to keep him as our tech! Thanks so much for the great service.

Pete M.

What a great job your technician does! I trust him to do his thing and take care of us. Thanks to our previous vendor, we had a horrible roach issue. It was so bad that employees put their purses in zip lock bags so they didn’t take roaches home. Since you have been servicing in the last year or so, we don’t seen any signs of roaches. You guys do a spectacular job!

Andrew R.

Want to let you know what a great technician Denise is! I have lived in eight states in the past ten years and have had pest control service at all my homes and have had no technician that can compare to Denise. Denise is very knowledgeable, thorough, explains everything to her and, most of all, is very friendly.

Ann M.

Gordy, our Plunkett’s guy, is the most dependable, helpful, and trustworthy person that I have ever worked with. He listened and I want Plunkett’s to know what a great employee he is.

MaryLou H.

Rick (technician Rick Rigdon) is doing an awesome job and I wish I would have contacted Plunkett’s a lot sooner!

Scott G.

I called your office yesterday morning and spoke with Cathy. She was extremely nice and very helpful. I was so thankful that Cathy was able to schedule Stephen our tech to come out to my home to remove some catches. He was able to get to my house in 10 minutes! I am blown away at his promptness. I am so scared of mice that I was sitting in my car while waiting for him to arrive. He was very calm, explained what he was doing, and promised that I did not, in fact, need to move. I am very impre…

Catherine T.

You are the best vendor we deal with! Bill, our Plunkett’s guy, is very polite, prompt, and great to work with. Thank you for great service!

Janis D.

I just wanted to say that Cory Krauss was at my residence today for the 2nd time in the past year to treat wasp nests on our property. Cory is exactly what you want representing your brand out in the field. He is personable and professional and clearly enjoys his work and cares about the service his customers receive.

Nick B.

Bernie Nusbaum has been our technician for 10 years; he has always been wonderful. He is trustworthy and always comes as soon as we let him know we have a problem. Many times he has come the same day we have called with our problem. He always knows exactly what needs to be done and he solves all our pest problems.

Mickie D.

We would just like to let you know how very pleased we are with our technician, John Pepping, and the professional and diligent work that he does. We live in a small rural setting, and until John came we were plagued with mice, wasps, etc. (Sometimes even inside the house.) Since he has been our technician, we have had no such problems inside and only occasionally outside, as to be expected. But he comes regularly and has even made an ‘emergency trip’ when we called about a specific problem.…